The concert and movie season at Gorgas Park presented by East River Bank for the 11th straight year is back. The schedule is back-loaded with excellent concerts and movies. To raise money for the Friends of Gorgas Park, we are selling tickets to win 2 kids bike’s, a boy’s and a girl ‘s during every concert and movie event through the rest of the season. The lucky winners will be drawn at this year’s Harvest Fest.

On Tuesday August 18th an unprecedented rock concert and movie doubleheader will be featured starting at 6:30pm. The evening starts with the Harry Walther Band, an original veteran rock band with country roots. The group played at WXPN’s World Cafe recently and has been around the Philly scene for 15 years. The city of Philadelphia and the Parks and Recreation Department are underwriting the show. The Friends of Gorgas Park (FOGP) books the programming at the park, and has so done so every year since 1998. The movie the Princess Bride follows the concert. At the first movie, Big Hero 6 in July, Gorgas Park was jam-packed with kids and families.

Summer at Gorgas Park has been splendid so far. People are coming out in their usual large numbers. Thanks to June’s rains and the efforts of FOGP’s dedicated volunteers, the gardens at the park have been spectacular. Artists have taken up residence on Sundays for the past several weeks. They are capturing on canvas the vibrant garden colors and textures that will continue unabated through the rest of the summer and the fall. Comments from people have been unreservedly positive. Local residents rave that the beauty on display in the park along the Ridge makes them proud to live in Roxborough.

Of course, the best way to experience the beauty of Gorgas Park, its lovely turf and terrain, excellent trees, and spectacular gardens is to come to the park for a show.

Still remaining on this year’s schedule after the doubleheader concert and movie is Zydeco a-go-go, the classic Star Wars Movie the Empire Strikes Back, and the Irish Band the Hooligans on September 11th. A 9/11 ceremony conducted by the 21st Ward Veterans Association precedes the show.

In addition, a special doo wop concert is being added to the schedule on Saturday September 5th. It promises to be one of the highlights of the year in the Roxborough Community. Stay tuned for more details.

Information about the happenings at Gorgas Park can be found on signs at the park, on posters around town and at gorgaspark.com. You can also visit the Friends of Gorgas Park on Facebook. There are so many fun things yet to come at Gorgas Park. However, the good weather and the fine events do have an expiration date. Don’t delay. See you at the next show.